2024 Player Rankings Update: Top 5
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In this update, we have added 15+ new players throughout the state, that have held their own so far this winter season while putting up some productive numbers. In the article below, we are going to cover our new Top…
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Continue ReadingIn this update, we have added 15+ new players throughout the state, that have held their own so far this winter season while putting up some productive numbers. In the article below, we are going to cover our new Top 5 from the 2024 Class. In this specific Update, there is not a lot of movement in the Top 5 but there is a lot of movement within the Top 100, so make sure to check it out when you have a chance!
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Always showing up. This is three words to describe Aliyah Riley and her game on the basketball court over the past 3 and a half years. Riley moves up to the #5 spot in this Update because of what I just said. She has been a player that is always showing up in one way or another for her Johnston Dragons team. The best way to describe Riley’s play-style is aggressive and determined. She knows what she is going to do with the ball, each time she touches it, usually ending her teams possession in a bucket of some form. There is going to be one more Update before this 2024 Class graduates and comes to a close. Riley is going to have the chance to move up another spot or two depending on her play and the play of the other competitors within the Top 5 during the Playoff’s. If she has a dominant run and she leads her team to a state title, there is going to be an interesting conversation to be had.
Bishop Heelan is one of the states premier squads once again this winter and the main reason for that in my opinion is Brooklyn Stanley Brooklyn Stanley 5’8″ | PG Bishop Heelan | 2024 State IA . Stanley is a game manger at the PG position, that can score. She does a great job setting up the teammate around her and running the offense that her coaches have installed. She is committed to play at the D2 level next season but first, she is going to help her Crusaders team try to make it to the State championship, hoping to bring back some hardware to the Sioux City Area. Which is definitely possible. This team returns talent from last season, while adding a star Freshman or two. If they stay focused, they will be one of the hardest teams to beat at the Well this February.
Elise Jaeger Elise Jaeger 6’1″ | PF Valley | 2024 State IA has the type of game that translates to the next level. She is a 6’1 Forward, that is very good at dominating her space on the floor. I would say that she is at her best, navigating by the rim but she can also spread out the floor and attack from 15 feet. This season has been an up and down one for the Valley Tigers but the constant for this program is the play of Jaeger and a few others. She has been doing her usual this winter, putting up an impressive stat line every night it seems like. After this year, Jaeger will be taking her talents to UNI to continue on her basketball career. A place where I think she is going to thrive. If she keeps it simple and just takes what the defense is giving her. She will have quite the college career. In this update, she retains our #3 spot.
Coming in at #2 in this Update is Callie Levin Callie Levin 5’10” | PG Solon | 2024 State IA of Solon High School. Levin is having probably her best high school season to date. Both individually and as a team with her Spartans. Offensively, she has been on fire. Making a lot of shots from all of the court at a high rate, each night. Defensively, she has been a problem for some of her matchups. She has a good head on her shoulders and understands when to make a play for the ball compared to waiting back, making her defender have to create in a nifty way or else it will be a TO. I’m excited to see Levin and how she is going to lead her team in the Playoff’s. If she can keep everyone in-line while scoring at the rate she has, this Spartans team is going to be very tough to beat in the 3A Class.
Highlights
Coming in and holding onto the #1 spot for this 2024 Class in this Update is Aili Tanke Aili Tanke 6’0″ | SG Johnston | 2024 State IA of Johnston High School. Tanke, like everyone else on this list, is the real deal. She is someone with great size and muscle mass, while having an elite shot from deep. Whenever she has space, you know she is going to let it go and she is usually going to make it. If her defender happens to overplay her, she does a great job of putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim. Not to mention that if she has a mismatch, she is smart enough to go directly to the post for a touch and easy finish. I have a feeling that Tanke is going to see the floor REAL early in her career at the next level. With her ability to shoot it, mixed with her size, she is going to be someone that can hold her own in all facets of the game. We are still a few months away from all that but she most definitely has a bright future on the hardwood.